Building bridges to the next generation

Youth pastor Karson McKinney with his wife, Faith, and their daughter, Wylder, last Easter. The McKinneys open their home to students, attend student events and create a safe space where every teen feels valued.
In a world where youth face unparalleled pressures, Karson McKinney, a fourth-generation pastor, is on a mission to bring connection, hope and transformation to the next generation. Karson did not always see ministry in his future. “Growing up, I ran from it,” he said. But life often leads us to where we are meant to be.
After attending a bible college in Oklahoma City, Karson met his wife Faith, a speech pathologist. The two moved to Stratford, Oklahoma, where Karson joined his father’s church as a youth pastor. In just five years, he grew a small youth group of three (two of whom were his siblings) to more than 150 weekly attendees in a town of only 1,500.
This passion for helping youth has been Karson’s guiding principle. “Even in middle and high school, I knew I wanted to pour into the next generation—and the one after that,” he shared.
In June 2023, Karson, Faith, and their newborn daughter, Wylder, moved to Colorado, where Karson joined Thrive Church in Lone Tree as the youth pastor. It was a leap of faith, but Karson believes it was divinely orchestrated.
Karson’s approach to youth ministry is rooted in relationships. “All middle schoolers want to be seen. All high schoolers want to be known,” he said.
Karson also encourages parents to adopt this same mindset—to truly listen. Even when you may not agree with everything the child is saying, being deeply heard can make a world of difference for a young person navigating life’s storms. “Kids don’t always need a solution right away—they need to know that someone is with them, that their feelings matter and that they are not alone,” Karson shared. He believes the simple act of walking alongside kids, without judgment, fosters trust and helps them build the resilience needed to face their struggles.
“All middle schoolers want to be seen. All high schoolers want to be known”
In Douglas County—a place of both immense privilege and intense pressure—Karson sees youth struggling with self-worth and identity. “They have everything they want, but not always the relationships they need. Many are given a house when what they need is a home.”
Karson and Faith open their home to students, attend student games events and create a safe space where every teen feels valued. Thrive Church’s youth program, Elevate, takes a “real life” approach, even offering weekly check-ins via text.
“Kids today face pressures we never imagined—academic, social, and digital,” Karson said. “But when they realize their worth is not tied to a perfect post or a single moment, they can begin to see a brighter future.”
Karson is clear about his calling: “It is not about a title at the church; it is about real impact.” As he reminds us, storms will come—but with faith, connection and love, we can help the next generation weather them together.
If you have a middle or high schooler looking for connection and support, Karson invites them to attend Elevate at Thrive Church (9830 Lone Tree Parkway) on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.
For more information, visit ElevateYTH.co or follow on Instagram @ElevateYTH.co.
Karson also recommends the website StayHere.live, which offers free resources for teens and parents, including access to professional therapy.
Crisis hotlines
If you or someone you know is experiencing a suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress, know there is help.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is a national network of more than 200 crisis centers that helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day. In October 2024, the FCC adopted rules that require all U.S. wireless carriers to begin routing wireless calls to local crisis centers based on the geographic area associated with the origin of a 988 call, rather than by area code (called georouting). The FCC’s 988 call georouting rule has a compliance deadline of January 13, 2025 for nationwide wireless providers and December 14, 2026, for non-nationwide providers.
Visit 988lifeline.org for more information or to reach out, including call, text, chat and hearing-impaired options. Visit 988lifeline.org/es/chat/ for a Spanish-speaking option.
There is no wrong reason to call Colorado Crisis Services, which provides free, confidential and immediate support from trained professionals and peer specialists, available 24/7/365 by calling 844-493-TALK (8255), or texting TALK to 38255. Colorado residents can also seek services in-person at walk-in centers, regardless of ability to pay. If you don’t know where to begin getting help with a mental health, substance use or emotional concern—for you, or for someone you know—start here.
Visit coloradocrisisservices.org for more information or to reach out, including call, text and walk-in options.
By Nicole Stark; photo courtesy of Karson McKinney